Lester Beall

(1903 –1969)

Lester Beall (1903-1969) was an influential American graphic designer known for his pioneering work in modernist design and his significant contributions to graphic design education. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Beall's early exposure to art and design led him to pursue a career in graphic design.

In the 1930s, Beall worked as a graphic designer for the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) during the New Deal era. His innovative and impactful designs helped promote rural electrification and community development.

Most Iconic

Works

01.

Rural Electrification Administration Posters

(1930s)

Beall's most celebrated works are his posters for the Rural Electrification Administration. These posters combined striking typography and bold imagery to promote rural electrification in the United States during the 1930s. They are considered classics of American graphic design.

02.

Branding for International Paper Company

(1940s-1950s)

Beall's work for the International Paper Company during the 1940s and 1950s was marked by its innovative and groundbreaking approach to corporate branding. His designs for the company's annual reports are particularly renowned for their modernist aesthetics.

03.

Cross Out Slums. United States Housing Authority

(1941)

Lester Beall's design for this United States Housing Authority poster in 1941 conveyed a powerful message of urban renewal and housing reform. His graphic approach effectively communicated the urgency of addressing housing issues, showcasing his ability to merge design with social advocacy.

The legacy

Lester Beall's enduring legacy in the realm of graphic design is monumental. His iconic REA posters, with their bold use of design elements, remain as fresh and relevant today as they were in the 1930s.

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Beyond his design achievements, Beall's advocacy for graphic design education left an indelible mark. He played a pivotal role in shaping graphic design as an academic discipline, nurturing future generations of designers and imparting to them the principles of modernist design.